At the top of the Mt. Kedarkantha
I was planning to travel to India for a long time, specifically before the pandemic. Due to the sudden pandemic all travelling were postponed in every country. Finally, on last April, my time came to go abroad when India lifted ban on tourists. I started my journey on 29th April and returned on 10th May. I am planning to write several posts on my tour to India to share my experience with you. And, you are reading the fourth post now. You can read other posts from the links below.
Inside the kitchen of the base camp at night
Before we went to sleep, we were advised by our guide Bhojon to make ready our trekking bag with less items as much as possible. We just took things that were very much essential only. Other things we left in the tent. We woke up at 2.30 am as we have to start climbing by 3.30 am. We took our very early breakfast with Dhalia, a food made with milk and corn. It was very tasty to me. It was the only food that ate with taste! After the breakfast, we started our journey towards the peak of the Kedarkantha. We used the light of our headlamp in the darkness of night.
Very early morning breakfast “Dhalia”.
Started our journey with the light of headlamp
After walking for 15-20 minutes one our tourmates became sick and he returned to the base camp alone. As we were walking at night, we could not see the beauty of the forest through which we were going. After walking for an hour thing started to be visible to us gradually. Morning soft light filled our surrounding areas. I was mesmerized to see the beauty of hills, trees at dawn. Gradually everything started to be clear to us as the Sun started to show its head through the far mountain.
Golden Hour moment, the Sun is about to rise
First look of the day before the Sun rises 
The Sun showed his head finally.
After the Sun rises
After walking for one more hour, we saw the Indian climbers who started before us. But they were little bit slow so we crossed the at one point. After walking a little. I saw the snow for the first. I touched them for the first time in my life. I was thrilled and excited very much. Snow is beautiful, no doubt, but it makes your trail hard and dangerous also. Several times my feet slipped on the ice. Most of the time the peak of the Mt. Kedarkantha seemed very close to me but while I walked, it seemed and endless journey to the peak. Our guide was pushing us all the time to walk fast so that we can reach the peak earlier. But, the trail near the peak was most difficult, slippery, and steep. Finally, we reached to the summit of the Mt. Kedarkantha at 8.45 A.M. I think. The peak has its own beauty with snow all around. We were the first team of that day to reach the peak.
This Indian team struggled a lot climbing to the peak.
Our friendly guide Bhojon Panwar.
It seemed too close even though too far
Touching the snow for the first time
We took a lot of photos and videos there. Fortunately, we got the mobile network at the summit. We went for a live in Facebook. I talked to my family from the peak and showed them the snow from the top of the Mt. Kedarkantha. By this time, many other climbers reached the peak and joined us. The peak became crowded within a very short time. I took several photos with some other Indian climbers. They have come to Uttarakhand (UK) from Mumbai. They saw my tee shirt with the print of Bangladesh Local Guides and became very surprised to know that I am from Bangladesh. we became friends very quickly. Cloud started to gather in the sky and our guide warned us about the possibility of raining. So, we decided to descend from the peak. As we reached the peak first, we left it first. We were descending with less effort and much joy. It seemed to me that I became stronger after climbing to the peak.
Close view of the peak
Closer to the peak
The Summit of the Mt. Kedarkantha. From below. I thought these pillars as human being
This place is considered as holy. Please put off your shoes before going there.
This beautiful mountain dog along with 3 went with us from Sankri. They were with us till the end.
I found this amazing female team and spent some amazing time with them at the Summit.
You can see this small but beautiful Ganesha Temple just beneath the peak of the Kedarkantha.
My useless camera is taking rest in peace
While climbing to the peak we could not see the natural beauty very well. But, during descending we enjoyed the natural beauty a lot. This place is so much beautiful that I cannot express in words. On the way to the base camp, I drank cold natural water from fountain the taste of which seemed amazing to me. Very clear and pure water to drink from mother nature. We reached the base camp by 12.30 pm, I think.
Beautiful view of our basecamp
Last photo before leaving the basecamp.
Descending trail to Sankri
Beautiful view of the trail.
Famous and beautiful Juda Lake
Another beautiful view of the trail
Our lunch was ready in the basecamp. We took lunch (I could not eat enough though). After the lunch we started packing our bags. We were in a hurry for the upcoming rain. Finally, at around 2pm. We left our beautiful basecamp. On the way to Sankri, we took the longest trail that was less steep than the shortest one that we took during ascending the Mt. Kedarkantha. We were descending and enjoying the natural beauties inside the think forest. After walking one and half an hour we saw the beautiful Juda Lake. It is so beautiful that we desired to stay there for one night. We saw many people preparing tents to spend the night there. We spent some beautiful time there. Took photos. After some times we left the beautiful Juda Lake. Finally, rain came. This time we took shelter in the Dhaba during the rain and took snacks with hot tea. After the rain, we started again to our homestay at Sankri. At around 4.30 pm. we reached Sankri.
We took shelter here during the rain.
I became very happy while I saw Sankri, our homestay, from above.
I was very tired as I could not take my lunch and felt fever. After reaching our homestay I took long rest for one hour while my tourmates started packing their bags for our next destination, the holy Kedarnath mountain. At 9pm we took our dinner and left Sankri at 10.3m pm. for Kedarnath.
Related Post:
- My tour to India: Part-1, Dhaka to Kolkata
- My tour to India: Part-2, Kolkata to Sankri (Rishikesh)
- My tour to India: Part-3, Kedarkantha Base Camp
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